Brother Culkin talks about getting into Mark Ruffalo’s school

While method acting isn’t quite his style, one Culkin brother proved that there is no substitute for authenticity, especially when it comes to stage props.

In a repeat interview in 2012. Mark Ruffalo shared a wild story about a “mischievous young actor” who swapped a fake stage hinge for a real one during a live performance, unexpectedly leaving it in full view of the audience.

Now, many years later, one of the Kalkin siblings has finally come forward to admit they were the mastermind behind the prank.

Kieran Culkin debuted with his brother Macaulay Culkin in the 1990 cult holiday film Home Alone, playing Kevin McCallister’s mischievous cousin, Fuller. He reprized the role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Shortly after his Hollywood debut, he appeared in Playwrights Horizons in 2000. “The Moment When” by James LaPine with Mark Ruffalo.

With a supply of props backstage, Culkin couldn’t resist the temptation to change one. “Uh-uh. “I believe it happened,” he thought to himself a few weeks later, catching a familiar whiff and “just watching” Ruffalo take the hit before handing it to their co-star.

At intermission, Culkin felt compelled to make a confession. “I’m like, ‘I thought it was a good prank.’ I’m stupid. Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” he said Guardian. “But they actually liked it. Mark says, “I haven’t smoked a joint in 10 years; the second half will be a lot of fun.” There was another actor who had never smoked pot in his life. She says, “Is that what it means to be high?” It’s wonderful.” And then Phyllis Newman comes in and says, “I haven’t smoked weed since the 1960s. Thank you, dear.”

Culkin continued: “Then the director comes in and says, ‘I don’t care whose it is or what happened, but Kieran, give me the joint.’ Shyly gave the remains. “She said, ‘Spoil yourself in your own time.'”

The Golden Globe winner seems to have taken the experience to heart. “I was 17 and I was stupid … I was young. I am 42 now. I know better. I’m not going to try to get someone up on stage,” he said.

“I was doing a play where I had to smoke a joint in the first scene,” he said at the time. In the evening with all the critics, he put a real joint on the prop table.’

Known for his total dedication to his performances, Ruffalo admitted, “So when you’re at a party, you take two puffs and say, ‘Okay, that’s enough.’ I was so surprised.” But I was acting, so I was like…” he said, mimicking a breath. “The two of us smoked a giant blunt on stage.”

As the scene played out, Ruffalo recalled feeling uncontrollable. “And I’m like, ‘Man, I’m in it tonight. I feel it. I’m burning. I can feel it… why is that dude backstage laughing at me?” Here he realized that the responsible young actor was standing behind the stage and cracking up. “And I was just like, ‘Oh shit.'”

But the story has a silver lining. Ruffalo added with a smile, “But at the end of the show, I got the best reviews of my entire career.”

Kieran Culkin skyrocketed to global fame with his role as Roman Roy in the critically acclaimed HBO series Continuity. Playing the sharp-tongued, irreverent younger son of media mogul Logan Roy, Kieran became a fan favorite for his caustic humor and vulnerable portrayal of a deeply flawed character. His performance earned him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and he won the 2024 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series.

Kieran Culkin has firmly established himself as one of Hollywood’s most diverse and exciting actors, proving time and time again that he is much more than just “the Macaulay younger brother”.